I Treated My Own Achilles Tendinitis the Wrong Way for Five Years
- Brennon King
- May 5
- 3 min read
Updated: May 13
Injury & Recovery
As a sports medicine professional, I help athletes through this exact situation every day.
But I kept running through the pain anyway - until I couldn't ignore it anymore.
3 minutes
I've been dealing with Achilles Tendinitis for the better part of five years.
For most of that time, I did what a lot of people do — I kept running hoping it’ll get better on its own (cue palm to face). I started foam rolling more, and backed off when it flared up. I knew I’d have to rehab it, and yet I just kept pushing anyway. This is a bit embarrassing to admit considering I help people with this exact situation for a living! If I’m honest, I just didn’t want to slow down or stop. I loved running too much. Maybe I enjoyed the pain too.
I've spent over 12 years helping athletes recover from injuries. I know what happens when you ignore your body’s signals and push ahead. I've had that conversation with patients more times than I can count! Despite this, I decided to do it anyway.
Tendinitis doesn't take you down all at once. It lets you keep going - just with a little more negotiating with your body before every workout
Tendinitis, like many overuse injuries, is sneaky. It doesn't take you down all at once. It lets you keep going, just with a little more stiffness in the morning, a little more soreness after a run, a little more negotiating with your body before every workout. So you adapt. You modify. You convince yourself it's manageable and you’re fine to push through. And it is — until it isn't.
For me, that moment came when running stopped being something I enjoy and I started telling myself that “it probably won’t tear on this run.” My Achilles had gotten so bad that a visible lump had formed and someone else had to tell me that continuing to run meant risking a rupture - which I knew meant surgery. So I started getting stronger in the gym and cycling… things that didn't aggravate it.
I didn't love it the way I love running, but it’s the cost I had to bear for avoiding the rehab. And that matters more than people realize. When you can't do the thing that makes you feel like yourself, it can affect your mind.
The Mindset Shift
I didn't start rehabbing because the pain got unbearable. I started because I wanted to feel the freedom of going somewhere on my own feet again and to be able to play with my kids - without pain.
Running isn't just exercise for me. It's how I clear my head, how I challenge myself, how I feel like an athlete. Losing it — even temporarily — reminded me of exactly what my patients feel when they're sidelined. I had a quiet voice asking “will I ever run again?”
That's what finally moved me from managing the problem to actually solving it.
Four weeks ago I started doing what I should have done years ago - loading the tendon properly. Following a structured protocol. Being consistent instead of reactive. Treating myself the way I'd treat a patient (I know, what a concept!).
What You Can Do
If you have a nagging shoulder, a stiff hip, a knee that's been bothering you for longer than you'd like to admit — I get it! That "it'll get better" mindset is comfortable, right up until it costs you something you love.
If I’ve learned anything from this experience, it’s summed up in two words - don’t wait!
Don’t wait for others to stage an intervention to get the care you need
Don’t wait for your body to decide when to shut you down (we all know it’s not at a great time!)
Earlier care = faster recovery
If you choose to be mindful about what your body needs, you’ll be able to catch things early before they turn into bigger problems. The earlier to get the care you need, the faster your recovery.
What I'm Doing Now
Four weeks is not a full recovery, but here's what's already different:
Pain and stiffness have reduced significantly
In 1.5 weeks, my mileage has gone from one to three miles
Those miles are less painful than before
I'm back in control of my recovery instead of just hoping for the best
The work isn't glamorous, but it works!
If you've been where I was, it can be understandably frustrating. Have a plan, show up for yourself consistently and keep your goals in front of you. It’s not always easy but it works.
If you have a similar story, I’d love to hear it!
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